128 OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



bright red where the alcohol touched it, far more so 

 than after taking food. Alcohol irritates the lining of the 

 stomach and dilates the tiny blood vessels. 



181. Effect of Alcohol on the Digestive Powers of the 

 Gastric Juice. Alcohol, like any other irritant of the 

 stomach, causes the gastric juice to flow in an excessive 

 amount, as the eye, when injured, becomes flooded with 

 tears. The digestive power of the gastric juice is at the 

 same time either diminished or seriously impaired by the 

 precipitation of its pepsin. This hinders digestion, because 

 the solvent power of the gastric juice is diminished. 



If this unnatural excitement of the glands of the stomach 

 is kept up for some time, an extra amount of useless work 

 is thrown upon the gastric glands and they become less 

 able to do their normal work. 



The structural alterations that the habitual use of alco- 

 hol may induce, and the action of this agent on the pepsin, 

 may seriously impair the digestive power. Hence it is that 

 those who are habitual consumers of alcoholic liquors often 

 suffer from disorders of digestion. Heartburn, water brash, 

 acid stomach, and a peculiar retching in the morning may 

 thus be produced. 



If the amount of alcohol be increased, or the repetition 

 become frequent, some part of it undergoes acid fermen- 

 tation in the stomach, and acid eructations or vomitings 

 occur. With these disturbances may be associated loss of 

 appetite, feeble digestion,- sallowness, mental depression, 

 and headache. 



182. The Final Effect upon the Stomach of the Long- 

 Continued Use of Alcohol. Now, when these alcoholic 

 liquors are poured into the stomach for days, weeks, and 

 even for years, it is no wonder that their long-continued 



